Ratchet-wrench.



ARLAN E. SMITH, OF BRIDGEPORT, WEST VIRGINIA.

RATGHET-WRENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 8, 190'7.

Application filed May 18, 1906. Serial No. 317,598.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARLAN E. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Harrison, State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ratchet-Wrenches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. i

This invention has relation to wrenches of the ratchet class; and it is the object thereof to reduce the structural character to the minimum of simplicity; and to distribute the weight and bulk of the parts, so that it may be strengthened at the points where strain and force are exerted, and lightened elsewhere, to the end that the wrench as a whole may be made light and durable.

In addition to the foregoing, it is my purpose to avoid all pivots on which strain and wear may be brought, so as to lessen the liability of breakage and trouble arising from wear, as well as to enhance the properties of strength and durability; and, moreover, to secure a quick action in the adjustment of the jaws.

I will now proceed to disclose the invention in detail, in view of the annexed drawings forming a part of this specification, and then point out with distinctness and particularity the part or improvement which constitutes the invention. 7

Of the said drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of a wrench embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the adjustable jaw.

Similar figures of reference designate similar parts or features, as the case may be, Wherever they occur.

In the drawings, 5 designates-the handle-bar, provided on its forward end with the fixed jaw 6, and on its lower or inner face with the rackteeth 7. 8 designates the adjustable jaw, and 9 and 10 are the saddles or straps embracing the handle-bar, and forming integral parts of the adjustable jaw and sliding body 11.

The latter piece is provided centrally with a chamber, in which is arranged a pawl or dog 12, in the nature of a prop, the upper end of which is made in the form of a hook, that catches loosely over a projection 13, on the inner walls of the chamber, this construction being for the purpose of keeping the pawl in position; and maintaining its lower end in engagement with one of'the teeth 7 on the handle-bar, with sufficient firmness for the pawl to hold the adjustable jaw 8 in place against any strain or force that is likely to be exerted on the 5 0 handle-bar.

The pawl and its connections will be put in place before the slide 1.]. is put in place on the handle bar, and the sides of the chamber in which it operates, being closed it cannot be displaced by shocks or strains to which the wrench. may be subjected.

An inclined socket or bore 14 is made in the body piece 11, below and outward from the base of the pawl, in which socket is arranged a short helical spring 15, that bears on the lower side of the lower end of the pawl, and keeps it in engagement with the teeth 7 of the handle-bar.

The small red 16 extends through the helical spring '15 in the socket 14 and is engaged at its inner end with the prop 12, the said rod being provided on its outer end with a knob 17. When the operator desires to disengage the pawl from the teeth 7 on the handle bar, he

takes hold of the said knob and draws upon it with the effect of raising it against the stress of the said spring, out of engagement with the teeth 7, so that the jaw can be moved with entire freedom along the handlebar and be adjusted in another position or place.

The knob 17 is in position where the operator, in manipulating the wrench to adjust it, naturally places the finger of his hand, so that the adjustment can be made without any special movement of the hand or fingers for that purpose. There being no pivot or its equivalent employed in connection with the pawl, and as all the strain or energy exerted thereon is directly endwise, there is nothing to wear or get out of order on that account, or to break so as to need repair, and other disadvantages attendant thereon.

It is to be particularly noted that the pawl extends in an inclined direction with respect to the handle-bar, and as the rod 16 is at right angles to the pawl 12 it is also inclined. This gives the spring 15 an upward thrust, which holds the pawl 12 in place.

Slide 11 with its saddles is free from extensions or other incumbrances of any kind at its rear end, and all that it is necessary to do in adjusting the jaws is to manipulate the knob 17 substantially as hereinbefore set forth. This freedom of incumbrances in the rear of the slide is important since it not only simplifies the construction of the wrench but greatly enhances the readiness with which the jaws may be manipulated.

What is claimed as the invention, is

A wrench comprising a handlebar provided on its forward end with a fixed jaw, and having rack teeth on its front edge; the sliding body and its jaw, adapted to be adjusted longitudinally on the handle-bar, the body being provided with a chamber, having closed sides; a pawl in the form of a prop, having a hook-like formation on its upper end; a projection in the chamber, with which said hook engages; the pawl extending in an inclined direction in sald chamber, supported by the closed sides thereof and having its lower end engaged with the rack-teeth of the handle-bar; a socket formed in said body part at a right angle to the pawl and below the same; a spring in said socket bearing at its inner end on the upper end of the pawl and at its outer end on the bottom of the socket thus giving the spring an upward thrust at a right angle to the pawl to hold the latter in place; and a rod having 10 a knob on its outer end connected with the pawl to coin trol the same.

In testimony whereof, I :lflix my signature, in presence 01' two witnesses.

ARLAN 1G. SMl'lll.

Witnesses A. E. BENNETT, Ciunmis Low 

